Net zero carbon: Energy performance targets for offices

2021 ◽  
Vol 42 (3) ◽  
pp. 349-369
Author(s):  
Robert Cohen ◽  
Karl Desai ◽  
Jennifer Elias ◽  
Richard Twinn
Keyword(s):  
Energy Efficiency ◽  
Minimum Energy ◽  
Energy Performance ◽  
Consultation Process ◽  
Net Zero ◽  
Extensive Consultation ◽  
Operational Energy ◽  
Legislative Framework ◽  
Zero Carbon ◽  
The Uk

The UKGBC Net Zero Carbon Buildings Framework was published in April 2019 following an industry task group and extensive consultation process. The framework acts as guidance for achieving net zero carbon for operational energy and construction emissions, with a whole life carbon approach to be developed in the future. In consultation with industry, further detail and stricter requirements are being developed over time. In October 2019, proposals were set out for industry consultation on minimum energy efficiency targets for new and existing commercial office buildings seeking to achieve net zero carbon status for operational energy today, based on the performance levels that all buildings will be required to achieve by 2050. This was complemented by modelling work undertaken by the LETI network looking into net zero carbon requirements for new buildings. In January 2020 UKGBC published its guidance on the levels of energy performance that offices should target to achieve net zero and a trajectory for getting there by 2035. This paper describes the methodology behind and industry perspectives on UKGBC’s proposals which aim to predict the reduction in building energy intensity required if the UK’s economy is to be fully-powered by zero carbon energy in 2050. Practical application: Many developers and investors seeking to procure new commercial offices or undertake major refurbishments of existing offices are engaging with the ‘net zero carbon’ agenda, now intrinsic to the legislative framework for economic activity in the UK. A UKGBC initiative effectively filled a vacuum by defining a set of requirements including energy efficiency thresholds for commercial offices in the UK to be considered ‘net zero carbon’. This paper provides all stakeholders with a detailed justification for the level of these thresholds and what might be done to achieve them. A worked example details one possible solution for a new office.

Minimum energy efficiency – is the energy performance certificate a suitable foundation?

2020 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Samantha Organ
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Energy Efficiency ◽  
Housing Stock ◽  
Minimum Energy ◽  
Energy Performance ◽  
Rental Sector ◽  
Current Form ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Energy Efficiency Standard ◽  
The Uk

PurposeClimate change is one of the most significant challenges of our time. The existing housing stock is a crucial component in achieving international and national climate change targets through energy efficiency improvements. The private rental sector incorporates some of the worst performing housing. To address this, the UK has implemented the minimum energy efficiency standard, based on the energy performance certificate rating. However, the energy performance certificate has a number of criticisms in the UK and across the EU. This viewpoints paper discusses the primary criticisms of the EPC and whether these undermine the minimum energy efficiency standard.Design/methodology/approachThis viewpoint paper draws on the recent work across academic, government and professional literature to develop a critique of the energy performance certificate and its underlying methodology as a basis on which to form the minimum energy efficiency standard.FindingsThe paper concludes that based on the current form of the energy performance certificate in the UK, the minimum energy efficiency standard is likely to unfairly advantage some landlords and penalise others. This has implications for landlords, tenants and the wider housing stock.Originality/valueThis paper presents a discussion of the new minimum energy efficiency standard based on the limitations of the energy performance certificate. It has implications for policymakers, researchers and practitioners in the private rental sector.

A qualitative assessment of the impact of smart homes and environmentally beneficial technologies on the UK 2050 net-zero carbon emission target

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ghasson Shabha ◽  
Francesca Barber ◽  
Paul Laycock
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Carbon Emissions ◽  
Smart Home ◽  
Smart Homes ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Net Zero ◽  
Zero Carbon ◽  
The Uk ◽  
Home Technology ◽  
Smart Home Technology

PurposeThere are 29 million homes in the UK, accounting for 14% of the UK's energy consumption. This is given that UK has one of the highest water and energy demands in Europe which needs to be addressed according to the Committee on Climate Change (CCC). Smart homes technology holds a current perception that it is principally used by “tech-savvy” users with larger budgets. However, smart home technology can be used to control water, heat and energy in the entire house. This paper investigates how smart home technology could be effectively utilised to aid the UK government in meeting climate change targets and to mitigate the environmental impact of a home in use towards reducing carbon emissions.Design/methodology/approachBoth primary and secondary data were sought to gain insight into the research problem. An epistemological approach to this research is to use interpretivism to analyse data gathered via a semi-structured survey. Two groups of participants were approached: (1) professionals who are deemed knowledgeable about smart home development and implementation and (2) users of smart home technology. A variety of open-ended questions were formulated, allowing participants to elaborate by exploring issues and providing detailed qualitative responses based on their experience in this area which were interpreted quantitatively for clearer analysis.FindingsWith fossil fuel reserves depleting, there is an urgency for renewable, low carbon energy sources to reduce the 5 tonnes annual carbon emissions from a UK household. This requires a multi-faceted and a multimethod approach, relying on the involvement of both the general public and the government in order to be effective. By advancing energy grids to make them more efficient and reliable, concomitant necessitates a drastic change in the way of life and philosophy of homeowners when contemplating a reduction of carbon emissions. If both parties are able to do so, the UK is more likely to reach its 2050 net-zero carbon goal. The presence of a smart meter within the household is equally pivotal. It has a positive effect of reducing the amount of carbon emissions and hence more need to be installed.Research limitations/implicationsFurther research is needed using a larger study sample to achieve more accurate and acceptable generalisations about any future course of action. Further investigation on the specifics of smart technology within the UK household is also needed to reduce the energy consumption in order to meet net-zero carbon 2050 targets due to failures of legislation.Practical implicationsFor smart homes manufacturers and suppliers, more emphasis should be placed to enhance compatibility and interoperability of appliances and devices using different platform and creating more user's friendly manuals supported by step-by-step visual to support homeowners in the light of the wealth of knowledge base generated over the past few years. For homeowners, more emphasis should be placed on creating online knowledge management platform easily accessible which provide virtual support and technical advice to home owners to deal with any operational and technical issues or IT glitches. Developing technical design online platform for built environment professionals on incorporating smart sensors and environmentally beneficial technology during early design and construction stages towards achieving low to zero carbon homes.Originality/valueThis paper bridges a significant gap in the body of knowledge in term of its scope, theoretical validity and practical applicability, highlighting the impact of using smart home technology on the environment. It provides an insight into how the UK government could utilise smart home technology in order to reduce its carbon emission by identifying the potential link between using smart home technology and environmental sustainability in tackling and mitigating climate change. The findings can be applied to other building types and has the potential to employ aspects of smart home technology in order to manage energy and water usage including but not limited to healthcare, commercial and industrial buildings.

scholarly journals Updated good practice recommendations for outpatient parenteral antimicrobial therapy (OPAT) in adults and children in the UK

2019 ◽  
Vol 1 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ann L N Chapman ◽  
Sanjay Patel ◽  
Carolyne Horner ◽  
Helen Green ◽  
Achyut Guleri ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Quality Improvement ◽  
Antimicrobial Therapy ◽  
Good Practice ◽  
Service Evaluation ◽  
Consultation Process ◽  
Outpatient Parenteral Antimicrobial Therapy ◽  
Practice Recommendations ◽  
Extensive Consultation ◽  
Adults And Children ◽  
The Uk

AbstractUK good practice recommendations for outpatient parenteral antimicrobial therapy (OPAT) were published in 2012 and 2015 for adult and paediatric patients, respectively. Here we update the initial good practice recommendations in a combined document based on a further review of the OPAT literature and an extensive consultation process. As with the previous good practice recommendations, these updated recommendations are intended to provide pragmatic guidance for new and established OPAT services across a range of settings and to act as a set of quality indicators for service evaluation and quality improvement.

Towards Net-Zero Energy Buildings: A Case Study in Humid Subtropical Climate

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Owen Betharte ◽  
Hamidreza Najafi ◽  
Troy Nguyen
Keyword(s):  
Decision Making ◽  
Energy Efficiency ◽  
Energy Demand ◽  
Energy Performance ◽  
Subtropical Climate ◽  
Efficiency Improvement ◽  
Zero Energy ◽  
Energy Efficiency Improvement ◽  
Net Zero Energy ◽  
Net Zero

The growing world-wide energy demand and environmental considerations have attracted immense attention in building energy efficiency. Climate zone plays a major role in the process of decision making for energy efficiency projects. In the present paper, an office building located in Melbourne, FL is considered. The building is built in 1961 and the goal is to identify and prioritize the potential energy saving opportunities and retrofit the existing building into a Net-Zero Energy Building (NZEB). An energy assessment is performed and a baseline model is developed using eQUEST to simulate the energy performance of the building. Several possible energy efficiency improvement scenarios are considered and assessed through simulation including improving insulation on the walls and roof, replacing HVAC units and upgrade their control strategies, use of high efficiency lighting, and more. Selected energy efficiency improvement recommendations are implemented on the building model to achieve the lowest energy consumption. It is considered that photovoltaic (PV) panels will be used to supply the energy demand of the building. Simulations are also performed to determine the number of required PV panels and associated cost of the system is estimated. The results from this paper can help with the decision making regarding retrofit projects for NZEB in humid subtropical climate.

scholarly journals Climate repair through built environment: Decarbonising UK’s building sector through energy efficiency and natural materials

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ramit Debnath ◽  
Ronita Bardhan ◽  
Darshil U. Shah ◽  
Antiopi Koronaki ◽  
Aurimas Bukauskas ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Energy Efficiency ◽  
Built Environment ◽  
United Nations ◽  
Carbon Emissions ◽  
Building Sector ◽  
Insulating Materials ◽  
Working Paper ◽  
Net Zero ◽  
Royal Institution ◽  
The Uk

This working paper is an evidence submitted to the Royal Institution for British Architects that makes the case that the built environment must drastically reduce its carbon emissions to work towards net zero. Here we advocate for climate repair through the built environment by decarbonising UK’s building sector through both improved energy efficiency of buildings and the use of nature‐based solutions, such as engineered timber and natural insulating materials. The UK has the opportunity to lead by example at the upcoming United Nations COP‐26 conference and beyond, as we implement the solutions in the coming years.

scholarly journals Evaluating Social Housing Retrofit Options to Support Clients’ Decision Making—SIMPLER BIM Protocol

2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (9) ◽  
pp. 2507 ◽  
Author(s):  
Patricia Tzortzopoulos ◽  
Ling Ma ◽  
João Soliman Junior ◽  
Lauri Koskela
Keyword(s):  
Decision Making ◽  
Energy Efficiency ◽  
Cost Estimation ◽  
Social Housing ◽  
Integrated Approach ◽  
Energy Performance ◽  
Building Information ◽  
The Uk ◽  
Support Decision Making

The UK government made significant commitments to upgrading the energy efficiency of seven million British homes by 2020, aiming at reducing carbon emissions and addressing fuel poverty. One alternative to achieve better energy performance in existing houses is retrofit. However, there are difficulties associated with retrofitting social housing. It is currently challenging to compare scenarios (retrofit options) considering costs, potential energy efficiency gains, and at the same time minimising disruption to users. This paper presents a Building Information Modelling (BIM) protocol aimed to support decision making by social housing owners. It adopts BIM to simulate alternative retrofit options, considering: (a) potential reductions in energy consumption, (b) 4D BIM for retrofit planning and reduction of users’ disruption and (c) simulation of costs. A what-if scenario matrix is proposed to support decision making in the selection of social housing retrofit solutions, according to client and users’ needs. A case study of the retrofit of a mid-terrace house is presented to demonstrate the workflow. The main output of the work is the BIM protocol, which can support client decision making in diverse social housing retrofit projects, considering all three elements (energy simulation, planning for reduced disruption and cost estimation) in an integrated fashion. Such an integrated approach enables clients to make better informed decisions considering diverse social housing retrofit options through a simple process using readily available BIM technology.

scholarly journals Energy Efficiency: The Implementation of Minimum Energy Performance Standard (MEPS) Application on Home Appliances for Residential

2016 ◽  
Vol 78 ◽  
pp. 01058
Author(s):  
K.A Rahman ◽  
A.M Leman ◽  
L.H Mansor ◽  
M. N. M Salleh ◽  
M.Z.M Yusof ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Energy Efficiency ◽  
Minimum Energy ◽  
Energy Performance ◽  
Performance Standard ◽  
Home Appliances

Property valuation in UK: climate change targets and the value of UK investment properties – a change in sea level[1]

2020 ◽  
Vol 38 (5) ◽  
pp. 471-482
Author(s):  
Nick French
Keyword(s):  
Energy Efficiency ◽  
Minimum Energy ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Negative Capital ◽  
Potential Impact ◽  
The Uk ◽  
Value Changes ◽  
Energy Efficiency Standards ◽  
Practical Implications ◽  
Rental Value

PurposeThe UK government, in late 2019, announced new proposed targets for the energy efficiency legislation in the UK, MEES – Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards. The current suggestion is that all let properties, commercial or residential, need to be B rated by 2030. If this is implemented, it will have a significant impact upon the UK market property investment market.Design/methodology/approachThis practice briefing is an overview of the 2018 legislation and comments on how market awareness has changed since its introduction and the potential impact upon prices of affected properties moving forwardFindingsThis paper discusses how capital and rental values are beginning to be discounted in the market to allow for current and future liabilities under the MEES legislation. This has a significant impact on strategies for property investment.Practical implicationsThis paper analyses the likelihood of (negative) capital and rental value changes under the proposed stricter energy efficiency guidelines.Originality/valueThis provides guidance on how valuations can be undertaken to reflect any impact of the likely changes to UK energy efficiency legislation.

scholarly journals Consequences of the BC Energy Step Code on Offsite Construction

2019 ◽  
pp. 454-461
Author(s):  
Guido Wimmers ◽  
Alison Conroy
Keyword(s):  
Energy Efficiency ◽  
Construction Industry ◽  
Energy Performance ◽  
Efficient Solutions ◽  
Wood Construction ◽  
Net Zero ◽  
New Construction ◽  
Air Tightness ◽  
Cost Efficient ◽  
Near Future

In Canada, off-site construction is still the exception rather than the norm when it comes to wood construction. In Europe’s Alpine Region or Scandinavian countries, off-site construction is standard when it comes to wood construction. This paper will focus on the reasons why Canada’s wood construction industry will shift from mainly on-site to mainly off-site construction over the next 10 to 15 years. In countries with relatively demanding requirements on energy efficiency and air tightness, off-site construction has been dominating the market for more than 20 years. British Columbia adopted the BC Energy Step Code in 2017, a roadmap defining the energy efficiency of buildings over the coming years leading up to 2032, when all new construction will be required to be Net Zero ready. It is expected that the National Building Code of Canada will also encourage higher energy performance levels in the near future. Consequently, thermally better-performing envelopes will have to be produced and rigorous air tightness levels will have to be achieved for the sustainability goals given by the province. Envelope assemblies will get thicker, bulkier and heavier to meet these requirements. In this regard, a market shift to a greater amount of off-site construction is likely to be experienced to meet these targets in a controlled environment. This study is exploring the direct and indirect connections between sustainability and energy efficiency requirements given by codes to technical and cost-efficient solutions offered by industry.

scholarly journals Facade Design Process to Establish and Achieve Net Zero Carbon Building Targets

2021 ◽  
Vol 2069 (1) ◽  
pp. 012199
Author(s):  
Andrea Zani ◽  
Oluwateniola Ladipo ◽  
Antonio D’Aquilio ◽  
Carmelo Guido Galante ◽  
Matthew Tee ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Building Materials ◽  
Energy Use ◽  
Embodied Energy ◽  
Design Development ◽  
Net Zero Energy ◽  
Net Zero ◽  
Operational Energy ◽  
Zero Carbon ◽  
Life Options ◽  
Energy Codes

Abstract As more stringent building energy codes and sustainability certification goals have become more prevalent in recent years, a focus for many building designers has been reducing the operational energy with the objective of reaching net-zero energy targets. More recently, as the efficiency in operational energy use has increased significantly, the focus is moving towards the environmental impact of building materials, primarily reflected in the embodied energy and emissions, and the potential (re)life options that allow circular material flows and reduced global warming potential. This paper investigates a methodology applied during early and advanced design development phases to assess and compare different façade typology carbon emissions. Embodied carbon is evaluated through Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) analysis, and operational carbon is analysed during the service life of the office building through energy simulation. Results show that overall carbon assessment of different facade solution can provide useful design feedback in the decision-making process.

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